Our Crest
– Martin Luther’s Seal –
Since the 1520s a prominent symbol of the Lutheran Reformation has been Luther’s Seal, designed by Martin Luther to represent his theology. Here he explains its elements himself:
“First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in asky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.”
~ Martin Luther, in a Letter to Lazarus Spengler (1530)
– Our Design –
Today, many Lutheran congregations and church bodies use variations of Luther’s Seal as their logo. We have followed this tradition by designing a version of Luther’s seal for our congregation. Careful observers may notice a few features of our crest that distinguish it from other versions.
Natural Heart
Rather than produce a cartoon heart such as one might find on a Valentine’s Day card, we designed a heart which more closely mimics the natural shape of the human heart. This heart represents the genuineness of our faith. Our hearts are truly comforted by the cross of Jesus Christ, because the preaching of the cross rescues us out of our real sinful condition and grants real forgiveness with God.
Solae
Four Latin phrases encircle the seal: Sola Gratia (“Grace Alone”), Sola Fide (“Faith Alone”), Sola Scriptura (“Scripture Alone”), and Solus Christus (“Christ Alone”). These historic phrases of the Lutheran Reformation remind us that salvation is entirely God’s Work. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. No human deeds contribute to salvation. Likewise, Scripture alone is the source of divine truth, overruling human reason, ecclesiastical tradition, and personal experience.
Five Crosses
In addition to the black cross in the heart, four crosses encircle the seal, bringing the total count of crosses to five. This number teaches about the five wounds which Christ suffered on the cross (two on His hands, two on His feet, and one in His side). The placement of the additional crosses at the border of the seal reminds us that the cross of Christ is both the beginning and the end of our faith. It is central to our faith and it permeates the entire Christian life.